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Biomedical subjects

A Arango

Publications and source records attributed to A Arango.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Clinical and immunological characteristics of type 1 diabetes mellitus in a northwestern Colombian population.

We underwent a project aimed to define the clinical and immunological characteristics of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a Colombian population. This was a multicenter and cross-sectional study. Patients were systematically interviewed and their medical records reviewed, using a questionnaire that sought information about demographic, clinical and immunological characteristics. Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA), tyrosine phosphatase antibodies (IA-2A) and insulin antibodies (IAA) were examined by radioimmunoassay. There were 107 patients with T1D. Male:female ratio was 1:1. Half of the patients developed diabetes ketoacidosis at onset. GADA, IA-2A, and IAA were detected in 45%, 40%, and 69% of the cases, respectively. GADA positive patients were older and had a less duration of disease than patients without these autoantibodies (p<0.01). Association between breast feeding with the presence of antibodies or clinical characteristics was not observed. The results highlight some differences of T1D expression according to geographic location and ethnicity. Differences in age at onset and clinical variables may point to an environmental factor or deficient access to health care system. Genetic studies underway will provide important information in this population. These results might help to define public health policies in our population to improve T1D diagnosis, patients' quality of life and their outcome.

Adult↗

PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism in Colombian patients with autoimmune diseases.

A functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) C1858T in the protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor 22 (PTPN22) gene encoding an intracellular phosphatase with negative regulatory effects on T-cell activation is associated with some autoimmune diseases in Caucasians. Taking into account firstly, that SNP frequencies may vary across populations and, secondly, that replication studies are important to confirm previous associations, we examined the influence of PTPN22 polymorphism in 621 Colombian patients with four autoimmune diseases. Accordingly, 298 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 143 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 70 with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) and 110 with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) were studied. The control group consisted of 308 matched healthy individuals. Genotyping of PTPN22 was performed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction technology, using the Taq Man 5'-allele discrimination assay. The 1858 T allele was found to be a risk factor for pSS (odds ratio (OR)=2.42), SLE (OR=2.56), and T1D (OR=1.83). A lower but nonsignificant trend was observed for RA (OR=1.26). These results confirm the influence of PTPN22 in autoimmunity and indicate that autoimmune phenotypes could represent pleiotropic outcomes of nonspecific disease genes that underlie similar immunogenetic mechanisms.

Adult↗

Comparison of pulmonary function and postoperative pain after laparoscopic versus open gastric bypass: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Impairment of pulmonary function is common after upper abdominal operations. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative pulmonary function and analgesic requirements in patients undergoing either laparoscopic or open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP). STUDY DESIGN: Seventy patients with a body mass index of 40 to 60 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to undergo laparoscopic (n = 36) or open (n = 34) GBP. The two groups were similar in age, gender, body mass index, pulmonary history, and baseline pulmonary function. Pulmonary function studies were performed preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 7. Oxygen saturation and chest radiographs were performed on both groups preoperatively and on postoperative day 1. Postoperative pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale and the amount of narcotic consumed was recorded. Data are presented as mean +/- standard deviation. RESULTS: Laparoscopic GBP patients had significantly less impairment of pulmonary function than open GBP patients on the first three postoperative days (p < 0.05). By the 7th postoperative day, all pulmonary function parameters in the laparoscopic GBP group had returned to within preoperative levels, but only one parameter (peak expiratory flow) had returned to preoperative levels in the open GBP group. On the first postoperative day, laparoscopic GBP patients used less morphine than open GBP patients (46 +/- 31 mg versus 76 +/- 39 mg, respectively, p < 0.001), and visual analog scale pain scores at rest and during mobilization were lower after laparoscopic GBP than after open GBP (p < 0.05). Fewer patients after laparoscopic GBP than after open GBP developed hypoxemia (31% versus 76%, p < 0.001) and segmental atelectasis (6% versus 55%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic gastric bypass resulted in less postoperative suppression of pulmonary function, decreased pain, improved oxygenation, and less atelectasis than open gastric bypass.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic versus open gastric bypass: a randomized study of outcomes, quality of life, and costs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes, quality of life (QOL), and costs of laparoscopic and open gastric bypass (GBP). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Laparoscopic GBP has been reported to be a safe and effective approach for the treatment of morbid obesity. The authors performed a prospective randomized trial to compare outcomes, QOL, and costs of laparoscopic GBP with those of open GBP. METHODS: From May 1999 to March 2001, 155 patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 to 60 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to undergo laparoscopic (n = 79) or open (n = 76) GBP. The two groups were similar in age, sex ratio, mean BMI, and comorbidities. Main outcome measures included operative time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, operative complications, percentage of excess body weight loss, and time to return to activities of daily living and work. Changes in QOL were assessed using the SF-36 Health Survey and the bariatric analysis of reporting outcome system (BAROS). Operative and hospital costs of the two operations were also compared. RESULTS: There were no deaths in either group. Mean operative time was longer for laparoscopic GBP than for open GBP, but operative blood loss was less. Two (2.5%) of the 79 patients in the laparoscopic group required conversion to laparotomy. Median length of hospital stay was shorter for laparoscopic GBP patients (3 vs 4 days). The rate of postoperative anastomotic leak was similar between groups. Wound-related complications such as infection (10.5 vs 1.3%) and incisional hernia (7.9 vs 0%) were more common after open GBP; late anastomotic stricture was less frequent after open GBP (2.6 vs 11.4%). Time to return to activities of daily living and work were shorter after laparoscopic GBP than after open GBP. Weight loss at 1 year was similar between groups. Preoperative SF-36 scores were similar between groups; however, at 1 month after surgery, laparoscopic patients had better physical conditioning, social functioning, general health, and less body pain than open GBP patients. At 6 months, the BAROS outcome was classified as good or better in 97% of laparoscopic GBP patients compared with 82% of open GBP patients. Operative costs were higher for laparoscopic GBP patients, but hospital costs were lower. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic GBP is a safe and cost-effective alternative to open GBP. Despite a longer operative time, patients undergoing laparoscopic GBP benefited from less blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and faster convalescence. Laparoscopic GBP patients had comparable weight loss at 1 year but a more rapid improvement in QOL than open GBP patients. The higher initial operative costs for laparoscopic GBP were adequately offset by the lower hospital costs.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Lipid profile in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Glucocorticoids have been reported to exert a marked effect on lipoprotein metabolism. Several studies have shown a potential risk of hyperlipidemia in patients under long-term glucocorticoid therapy. Current management of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) includes the use of glucocorticoids to attenuate the increased production of undesirable adrenal hormones. A case-control study was designed to compare the serum lipid profiles of 14 patients with CAH under glucocorticoid therapy and 14 normal controls and to determine the characteristics of the profiles. A total of 9 patients (64.3%) had serum total cholesterol (TC) greater than 4.4 mmol/L (170 mg/dL), compared with 6 individuals in the control group (42.3%). Nine patients with CAH (64.3%) had serum triglycerides (TGs) more than 1.0 mmol/L (90 mg/dL), compared with only 2 in the control group (14.3%). Similarly, the mean serum TG was higher in the CAH group versus the controls, 1.33 mmol/L (118 mg/dL) versus 0.75 mmol/L (67 mg/dL), respectively. Serum low-density lipoprotein, (LDL-C) and high-density, lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol were determined in 13 children with CAH and in the 14 controls. Nine CAH patients (69.2%) and 8 controls (57%) had LDL-C greater than 2.8 mmol/L (<110 mg/dL). For HDL-C, 2 children with CAH (15.4%) and 4 controls (28.6%) had levels less than 0.9 mmol/L (35 mg/dL). There were no significant differences for the cholesterol index, 0.24 for the controls and 0.22 for the CAH group. In the CAH group, the mean serum TG level and the percentage of individuals with TGs greater than 1.0 mmol/L were statistically significant compared with the controls. The mean serum TC and LDL-C, as well as the percentage of subjects with levels over the cutoff point, although slightly higher in the CAH group, were of no statistical significance. The results of this pilot study suggest that long-term glucocorticoid therapy in patients with CAH may induce abnormalities in the serum lipid profile characterized mainly by an increment in serum TGs.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

Incidence of autoantibodies in the infertile population.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of autoantibodies in patients with no term pregnancies. Patients selected included 43 with primary infertility and 110 with a history of pregnancy loss. In the first group the incidence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and IgG and IgM antiphospholipid antibodies (APL) was 37.2% (p < 0.05) and 53.5% (p < 0.05), respectively. In the group of patients with a history of miscarriage, 31.8% (p < 0.05) were positive for ANA and 38.2% (p < 0.05) for APL. Controls were 35 healthy patients with proven fertility and no history of pregnancy loss or autoimmune disease. In this group the incidence of ANA was 5.7% and 11.4% for APL. The high incidence of autoantibodies found in patients with primary infertility might suggest a direct involvement of these antibodies in reproductive failure and consequently in IVF and assisted fertility procedures. The prevalence of ANA and APL has been extensively described in patients with a history of recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL). In this study we observed antibodies even after the first miscarriage. We therefore conclude that patients with a history of reproductive failure should be immunologically evaluated and treated before undergoing assisted fertilization techniques or before a new pregnancy in those cases of RPL.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Direct intrafollicular insemination. A case report.

This is the first case report of a documented pregnancy initiated with a new assisted reproductive technique based on direct insemination of a preovulatory follicle with ultrasonographic guidance using a transvaginal probe in women with at least one patent fallopian tube and controlled ovarian stimulation.

Adult↗

Vaginal gamete intrafallopian transfer. Experience with 14 cases.

A procedure utilizing transvaginal aspiration of stimulated gametes followed by transcervical, ultrasound-guided catheterization of the tubal ostia was performed as a modification of the standardized gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) technique. Among 14 patients with 16 cycles there were four normal, intrauterine pregnancies and one ectopic pregnancy. In two patients the beta-human gonadotropin level rose significantly and then started to fall; the patients aborted spontaneously. The procedure can be performed with a higher degree of patient acceptance than can traditional GIFT, and the success rate in this small series was promising.

Adult↗

Recovery of motile sperm using the migration-sedimentation technique in an in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer programme.

Sperm washing techniques, based on the swim-up principle used before inseminating the human oocyte in in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer programmes (IVF-ET), usually require prior centrifugation which causes damage to the sperm cell. A technique is described for separating sperm at laboratory temperature based on sperm migration--sedimentation principles, using two concentric tubes and recovering 70-90% forward-moving cells. A group of 17 patients is presented who were managed with this method. The results were 85% fertilization rate, 4% polyspermia and six clinical pregnancies.

Cell Separation↗

Vaginal intratubal insemination (VITI) and vaginal GIFT, endosonographic technique: early experience.

A new technique for vaginal intratubal insemination (VITI) and transvaginal gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (TV-GIFT) using endosonography has been developed. A total of 47 infertile couples were treated using a K-JITS 1000-1100 catheter (William Cook, Australia; Jansen Anderson Intratubal Transfer Set) introduced by Jansen and Anderson in Sydney, Australia, and endosonographic control with a Kretz Combison 310 echograph and a 5/7.5 MHz vaginal sectorial transducer. In 40 couples, the VITI technique was used, and in the other seven couples, TV-GIFT was used. Fifteen pregnancies (37.5%) were obtained in 63 VITI cycles (23.8% per treatment cycle) and three with TV-GIFT (42% per treatment cycle). A review is also presented of the migration--sedimentation technique used for management of male factor in an artificial insemination programme.

Adult↗

Aztreonam in the treatment of aerobic, gram-negative bacillary infections in pediatric patients.

Aztreonam was administered to 20 children diagnosed as having any of the following infections: urinary tract infection, pneumonia, meningitis, and abscess of the appendix. Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of aztreonam for these bacteria ranged from 0.03 to 0.5 micrograms/ml. All patients were clinically and bacteriologically cured within 5-16 days of treatment. Six months after completion of therapy, patients who had had meningitis appeared to be free of any neurologic sequelae. The antibiotic was well tolerated by all patients.

Abscess↗

Bacteriologic and systemic effects of intraoperative segmental bowel preparation with povidone iodine.

A technique for intraoperative segmental preparation of the large bowel, using 10% povidone iodine, was evaluated in 25 patients undergoing elective colon resection. Qualitative and quantitative bacteriology was obtained from the normal bowel content and from segments of colon treated with povidone iodine or normal saline. Forty-five of 50 segments treated with povidone iodine demonstrated no growth, whereas the segments injected with normal saline maintained bacterial counts of 3.5 x 10(8) colony forming units per milliliter. There were no septic complications in this group of patients and the levels of triiodothyroninc and thyroxin remained unchanged despite a substantial absorption of iodine, as demonstrated by protein-bound iodine determinations. Intraoperative segmental preparation of the colon with 10% povidone iodine is a simple technique that may be useful in the enhancement of other methods of bowel preparation by further reducing the endogenous bacterial inoculum at the time of transection of the colon.

Adult↗

Surgical management of traumatic injuries of the right colon. Twenty years of civilian experience.

Three hundred seven patients with right colon injuries were treated at Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, between 1953 and 1973. These injuries were managed with loop colostomies, suture and cecostomy, primary repair, right colectomy, diverting colostomy, and appendectomy or cecostomy alone. The indications and results of each type of repair are analyzed separately. The mortality (3.21%), morbidity (22%), and hospital stay were not related to the modality of treatment, but were influenced by the injuring agent. Adequate treatment of civilian right colon injuries implies careful individualization to avoid serious septic complications and subsequent mortality.

Adult↗